With five consecutive Group One victories, is Apache Cat Cranbourne’s greatest racehorse?
By Glen Atwell
APACHE Cat has joined an illustrious list of Cranbourne’s greatest racehorses after completing a picket fence of Group One victories this season.
But is the superstar sprinter the cream of Cranbourne’s crop?
Apache Cat became the first galloper since Tulloch, in 1957, to win five consecutive Group One races when he saluted in the $650,000 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday. The baldy-faced speed machine, trained by Greg Eurell, completed a string of victories that spanned three states and four racecourses.
But despite all the fame and fortune surrounding Apache Cat, the Colin Alderson-trained Sky Heights, which won the 1999 Caulfield Cup, has the Cat covered when it comes to prizemoney.
So which of the two Cranbourne greats is better?
Apache Cat’s first Group One win this preparation came on 2 February, in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington over 1000m.
He then backed up two weeks later to take out the Australia Stakes at Mooney Valley (1200m).
The Cat then travelled to Sydney to win the TJ Smith at Randwick (1200m) on 26 April and recorded a narrow victory in the BTC Cup at Doomben (1200m) a fortnight later.
On Saturday, Apache Cat made it five in a row in the Doomben 10,000 over 1350m.
The fairytale for his owners, trainer Eurell and jockey Corey Brown was complete.
Brown positioned his mount in the box seat moments after the barriers opened and trailed race leader Murtajill until just before the home turn. With a nudge and a push, Apache Cat wound up and scorched his rivals.
After the race Eurell described Apache Cat’s effort as awesome.
“He jumped to a great position, got a lovely run, and had it won as soon as he straightened up,” he said.
Alderson applauded Apache Cat’s record-breaking run.
“Greg’s done very well with the horse, it was a remarkable effort,” he said.
Alderson is well qualified to comment on the highest highs of racing, having trained one of Cranbourne’s greatest gallopers, Sky Heights, to six Group One victories. Sky Heights’ impressive haul included the 1999 Caulfield Cup and the AJC Derby at Randwick in the same year.
Sky Heights won 11 races from 42 starts and amassed more than $4.2 million in stakes.
Apache Cat has won 16 races from 30 starts. His prizemoney totals more than $3.3 million.
Alderson said when Sky Heights was at his best, it was hard not to become a bundle of nerves on race days.
“When everything is going well and your horse is expected to win, the nerves are hard to handle,” he said.
“I reckon Greg would be relieved that it’s all over for the moment.”
Alderson said it was impossible to pick the better horse of the two.
“Sky Heights was a very strong horse, a good stayer, Apache Cat is a great sprinter,” he said.
Sky Heights spends his retirement days in the paddocks of the Living Legends resort in Tullamarine. The retirement village of champion horses, Living Legends is home to stars such as Fields of Omagh, Brew, Doriemus, Saintly and Hong Kong sprinter Silent Witness.
Sky Heights shares a paddock with Might and Power.
Cranbourne trainer Doug Harrison said Apache Cat probably took the best horse honours.
“In a photo finish, probably Apache Cat, he’s an amazing sprinter.”
Harrison rated Natural Blitz, currently racing in Hong Kong, as his best galloper.
“Natural Blitz is no Sky Heights or Apache Cat though,” he said.
Harrison said Electronic Million was his most exciting prospect in work.
“He’s won two city races in a row and looks like being a good staying horse,” he said.
“There’s definite Cranbourne Cup winning potential there.”
